emergent evolution

noun

: evolution that according to some theories involves the appearance of new characters and qualities at complex levels of organization (such as the cell or organism) which cannot be predicted solely from the study of less complex levels (such as the atom or molecule) compare creative evolution

Word History

First Known Use

1923, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

emergent evolution

noun

: evolution which according to some biological and philosophical theories involves the appearance of new characters and qualities (as life and consciousness) at more complex levels of organization (as the cell or organism) which cannot be predicted solely from the study of less complex levels (as the atom or molecule)